Reusable Battery Indicator with Wireless Voltage Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current on-cell battery charge indicators are single-use, cumbersome, and require batteries to be removed from devices for use, making it inconvenient for consumers to determine the power state of batteries.
Innovation Solution
A reusable battery indicator system with a voltage sensor, communication circuit, and connection mechanism that can be removably connected to battery terminals, allowing for digital conversion of analog characteristics and wireless communication of battery data without removing the battery from a device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a single-use on-cell battery indicator is used, then battery charge indication is provided, but the indicator becomes cumbersome and requires battery removal from the device
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the battery indicator from the battery itself, creating an independent reusable indicator device that can communicate with multiple batteries wirelessly, eliminating the need for battery removal and enabling continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based indicators with wireless communication technology, using radio frequency signals to transmit battery status information without physical connection or battery removal
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a reusable battery indicator with wireless communication is used, then continuous battery monitoring is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable indicator is designed to work with multiple different batteries and electronic devices through wireless communication, providing universal battery monitoring capability without requiring device-specific modifications or increasing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables consumers to monitor battery characteristics like voltage, capacity, and age without removing the battery, providing convenient and cost-effective access to battery status information.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage sensor configured to convert sensed analog characteristics of a battery to digital information
Implementation Method 2
an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable battery indicator comprises a voltage sensor configured to convert sensed analog characteristics of a battery to digital information; a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor; an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit; and a connection mechanism having at least a first connector and a second connector that are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, the first connector and the second connector being adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal and to a second battery terminal, respectively, thereby completing an electrical circuit between the voltage sensor and the first and second battery terminals when the connection mechanism is coupled to the first battery terminal and to the second battery terminal.